Merry Christmas

It was another geeky Christmas here at the Range. The silver 60's tree survived another year though we had to do some repair work to a few branches this year.  Fortunately, the weather in Chicagoland has been extra mild so we had an easy drive last night for the Christmas Candlelight service which is a few villages away.  Partner in Grime played the violin and sang a solo. We joined this church a little over a year ago and it's the first time he has performed.  As he started to play and sing, a  few jaws dropped - no one had heard him sing before and he's got quite the voice.  If I sing, cats gather on the porch so it's good he can cover for me during the hymns :-)

We got up extra early to open the packages before this mornings service. 

We could NOT find our stockings  - they went into a bin for safekeeping last winter.  We have so many bins in storage - always fun to look at new and old memories in them but we just weren't sure which one held the stockings (think of the last scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark).  So Santa had to improvise with the "stockings".

There were a couple of items that didn't get wrapped.  A bird bath for me, and a Bora edge guide for Partner.  Since he had asked for one, the 50 something inch box in the sun porch for the last month, didn't leave any mystery, though I was tempted to put a few marbles inside in case of shaking.

The bird bath was installed by the bird feeders.  Unfortunately, our neighbor's across the street have a cat that constantly comes over to attempt to kill the birds.  I've chased it off with the hose a few times when out watering the garden- I don't want it getting run over coming to the bird buffet and I don't want it killing the birds.  It's well fed by its owners. So Partner got me something a little more serious than the hose.

We had the stockings with candy and cookies and little tool things and our usual geeky gifts -

Midwest Chick got me hooked on this chocolate. (Tcho).

Steampunk cufflinks (the steampunk watch was from last year.)

Vintage vest and handmade leather bowtie.

The Tactical Chef Apron - every Millenial should have one! (I married one that actually knows how to use a can opener and makes a mean Cream Brulee' with a propane torch).

I got an antique necklace and LOTS of Bend Goat Milk Soap and bulk milk bath (LOVE this stuff!)

A new game to learn!

It's not Christmas without new books - the Steam Tractor Encylopedia came from my Father in Law (True Blue Sam) and my Mother in Law for Partner.  The Kindle is the first one I've ever had.  I'm a big "dead tree" person but when I realized I spent $800 on books last year on Amazon it was time to do the Kindle. 

My gift from them was super cool - a Dr. Who satchel with shoulder strap!  (It's Bigger on the Inside!)

Of course, we both have to give each other new coffee cups (you know to add to the 87 we already have.)  Here's mine

With tea!

And his.

You know those little games at Cracker Barrel with pegs you have cross one another until there is only one left (if you are smart).  Partner surprised me with one (handmade out of wood) with something other than pegs. 

Abby Normal the Lab got some gifts too from us and from friends.

 Yup, she made a beeline for the beehive filled with squeaky bees.

The afternoon was spent playing board games including a new Cribbage Board.

As the roast cooks and we settle in to watch The Incredibles II (Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe!), I realize how lucky I am.  I have a snug, warm home, a husband that loves me dearly, and shares my love of the unique things in our world. Dad is still with us, each day with him a gift. Add to that my church family and I thank God every day for all He's given me.
Brigid